Closure for collapsible tubes



Oct. 18, 1932.

R. c. GREENLEES 1,833,716

CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Dec. 11, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M /fl 1'0 9 A? Inventor ,4 Home y Oct. 18, 1932. Q GREENLEES 1,883,716

CLOSURE FOR GOLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Dec. 11, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1m: enlor Patented Oct. 18, 1932 .UNITED STATES RUSSELL O. GREENLEES, 0F GLADSTONE, MICHIGAN CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSI IBLE 'LUIBES A Application. filed December 11, 1931. Serial No. 580,424.

This invention relates to a novel contribution to that class of inventions generally referred to as collapsible tubes and commercially used for containing and dispensing chemical, medicinal and pharmaceut cal preparations, such as toothpaste, shaving cream, ointment and the like.

The principal novelty is, however, predicated upon the development of a new type of closure having the faculty of movement to an open position under the action of pressure from the contents of the tube, and automatically returnable to a closing position by simple spring means when the, pressure is released.

Having in mind the desirable attributes of simplicity, economy and efliciency, I have evolved and produced a practical'closure susceptible of accomplishing the aforesaid results in a manner calculated to fulfill the requirements of an invention of this class.

Other features, advantages, and ob ects will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanylng rawings.

In the drawings:

Fi ure 1 is an elevational view of a collapsi le tube equipped with the improved closure.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the upper portion of the tube observing the discharge orifice of the closing cap.

Figure 3 is an exaggerated view in section and elevation utilized to disclose the details in a magnified manner.

Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3.showing the closing cap occupying its open position.

Figures 5, 6, and 7 are detail views of the cap per se.

Figure 8 is a perspectlve view of the return and maintenance spring for the cap.

Figure 9 is a view like Figure 3 showing a different type spring used.

By way of introduction, I would point out that the only difference between the type of structure illustrated in Figure 3, as contrasted with Figure 9 is the spring construction. Otherwise thedetails are the same, and like reference characters will be employed throughout all views of the drawings.

mental flange Referring now to the drawings in detail, the receptacle or body portion of the tube is denoted by the numeral 10, the tube being provided at its bottom with the usual clenched fastener 11. As seen in Figures 3, 4, and 9, the upper open end portion of the tube is thickened somewhat as denoted at 12, and internally screw-threaded asindicated at 13. This arrangement is provided to permit the rim portion 14 of the lid 15 to be threaded or tapped into place after the tube is filled.

The lid 15 is of dome-like configuration as is customary and is provided with a discharge neck 16 through which the contents of the tube are ejected under pressure in the customary manner by rolling the lower end portion of the tube.

The closure, as a unit, is generally designated by the numeral 17 and comprises a cap .constructed to fit over the discharge neck.

The cap includes aclosing disc 18 and .a seg- 19 fitting telescopically down overthe complemental portion of the neck. This arrangement ing or-orifice 20 on one peripheral side of the cap allowing the contents to be squeezed out when the cap is in the open position represented in Figure 4.

Attached to and depending centrally from the disc 18 is an operating rod 21 having an eye 22 at its lower end, said eye fitting into keeper notches 23 formed in the central portion of the longitudinally bowed flat spring 24. This spring has its opposite ends bent or curled as indicated at 25 to-permit it to be confined in the rimportion of the lid 20 as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

It will be observed that these bent ends 25 function as shoes and are maintained in moving contact with the underside of the lid so as to permit the spring to function properly. Normally the spring is bowed downwardly as seen in Figure 3 to hold the cap closed, but is straightened out and allows the cap to open when pressure is exerted against the disc 18.

It is obvious that the pressure is built up against said disc 18 when the tube 10 is rolled in the customary manner for forcibly ejecting the contents from the neck 16. Just as soon as the pressure is relieved the spring provides a discharge open- 2 J. macaw 24 comes into tglay to reseat the disc 18 and I thereblyeclose ca y As fore implie he only difierence m the modification illustrated inigure 9 is that a coiled spring 26 is substituted for the flat spring. The convolutions of this spring are such as not to interfere with the free dis- Y charge of the contents of-the tube. Possibly this arrangement is less expensive than the 10 fiat spring arrangement and has -less tendency to obstruct the discharge of the contents-- of the tube. y

In developing this invention, I have discovered the need for simple'and economical automatically operable closures for collapsible tubes, and it is believed that the form and arrangement herein disclosed and described will fulfill the requirements of a structure of this class in a dependable and satisfactory manner. Not only this, there is less likelihood of losing the closing cap because of the fact that it is permanently attached to the cover orlid.

In addition, the idea of making the cover and closing cap and associated details in the form of a single unit for application after the tube is filled constitutes an important and distinguishin feature of the invention. It is thong t from the foregoin description that the advantages and novel eatures of the invention will be readily apparent. It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided that such changes fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. In a structure of the class described, a collapsible tube having one end thickened 40 and internally screw-threaded, a dome-like cover having a screw-threaded rim threaded into the tube, further having a central u standing discharge neck, a cap for said nec said cap including a closing disc and a segmental rim fitting telescopically around the neck and forming a discharge opening, a rod attached to and depending from the central portion of the disc and depending through said neck into the interior of the tube, and spring means to which the inner end of said rod is connected, said spring meansbeing nested in the rim of said cover.

2. In a structure of the class described, a collapsible tube provided with a discharge neck, a closing cap for said neck, said cap ineluding a closure disc and a segmental ring fittin telescopically around the neck, a rod. attac ed to the disc and extending into the tube through the neck, and spring retaining and automatic closing means attached to the inrfigr end of the rod and confined within the tu Y In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

RUSSELL C. GBEENLEES. 

